^{(Pic: Chenthil Mohan)}
India’s Davis Cup tie against the Netherlands kicked off with a high-stakes display of momentum shifts, ending with Sumit Nagal on the short end of a 0-6, 6-4, 3-6 scoreline. Facing a clinical Guy den Ouden, Nagal spent the evening proving exactly why he is one of the leading figures in Indian tennis, turning a difficult start into a three-set thriller.

Guy den Ouden found his rhythm quickly in the Bengaluru conditions, taking the first set 6-0. Nagal, however, remained composed, using the time to adjust his tactics against the Dutchman’s pace.

Refusing to let the match slip, Nagal recalibrated in the second. Feeding off the energy of a vocal home crowd, he found his range from the baseline, forcing key errors and snatching the set 6-4 to level the playing field.

The match reached its peak in the decider. Trailing 1-4 0-30, Nagal showcased his trademark tenacity. With the fans firmly behind him, he clawed back to 3-4 and put den Ouden under significant pressure, coming within inches of a total turnaround.

The Big Picture

While Nagal’s resilience kept the contest alive for over two hours, the result gives the Netherlands a 1-0 lead in the tie. Despite the loss, the intensity of the match sets a competitive tone for the remaining rubbers, where India will look to leverage home advantage to get back on level terms.

The Scoreline: 🇳🇱 G. den Ouden def. 🇮🇳 S. Nagal: 6-0, 4-6, 6-3